THE BRONX, N.Y. – Democratic candidate for New York City Council Diana Ayala has gained a considerable new level of support with the endorsement of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. in the race for the 8th Council District, a seat encompassing neighborhoods in both Manhattan and the Bronx. This comes as Ayala’s bid to become the Democratic nominee in the September primary continues to build momentum off a recent endorsement by the Council’s leading progressives, and strong fundraising results in this week’s filing.

“I am endorsing Diana Ayala for City Council because she is a tough, tireless fighter,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. “During her decades of public service in her community and with the Speaker’s office, Diana Ayala has proven that she has what it takes to fight for our working families in the Bronx and in East Harlem. Her work expanding neighborhood amenities for our seniors, fighting to improve quality of life and giving every family the tools to live a better life make her the right choice to for the City Council.”

“It’s an honor to have the endorsement of Borough President Diaz,” said Democratic candidate Diana Ayala. “On every issue facing the Bronx, Borough President Diaz has brought a level of passion, expertise and accountability that has always stood out for me. I look forward to following his example as our next Council Member in El Barrio and the South Bronx.”

With this endorsement, the Borough President becomes one Ayala’s highest-profile supporters in her bid to become the next Council Member for the 8th District, which includes both Manhattan’s El Barrio/East Harlem and the South Bronx neighborhoods of Mott Haven and High Bridge. Ayala has also received the support of her former boss and mentor, Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, who currently holds the seat and is term-limited at the end of 2017.

The support from Diaz comes shortly after Ayala picked up the endorsements of the Working Families Party; the New York City Council Progressive Caucus Alliance; and Make the Road Action. It also serves to further build momentum in the wake of the May 15th deadline with the NYC Campaign Finance Board (CFB), where Diana has almost finished the fundraising necessary to hit the spending cap for the September 12th Democratic primary.